Boosting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in microglia protects against Alzheimer's disease in 5xFAD mice.

Genome-wide association studies have identified many gene polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Many of these LOAD risk-associated alleles alter disease pathogenesis by influencing innate immune responses and lipid metabolism of microglia (MG). Here we show that boosting the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a genome-wide association study LOAD risk-associated gene product, specifically in MG, reduces amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque load, preserves vulnerable neurons and excitatory synapses, and significantly reduces learning and memory abnormalities in the 5xFAD amyloid mouse model of AD.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) expression in microglia reduces amyloid β deposition and neurodegeneration by increasing SYK signaling and endolysosomal trafficking.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many gene polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of developing Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD). Many of these LOAD risk-associated alleles alter disease pathogenesis by influencing microglia innate immune responses and lipid metabolism. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), a GWAS LOAD risk-associated gene best known for its role in regulating systemic blood pressure, also enhances innate immunity and lipid processing in peripheral myeloid cells, but a role for ACE in modulating the function of myeloid-derived microglia remains unexplored.